Gallery: Aaron Hautala of Cuyuna, president of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, the local club, navigates a trail. Behind him is Jim McCarvill, 64, of Richfield.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: A mountain biker cruises on a trail last week overlooking Huntington Mine Lake at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. The 25-mile single-track trail system offers challenging trails and spectacular scenery. Doug Smith/Star Tribune; June 12, 2014, near Ironton, Mn.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: A mountain biker navigates a trail at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: Katie Seipp-Deblock (pink shirt) of Ironton, Minn., helped lead a group of 10 women on a mountain bike adventure at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Most of the women had never been on mountain bike trails before, but they were all smiles.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: The red water and rock at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is a testament to the iron ore mining history of the Crosby-Ironton area.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: Duane Lee of Lindstrom navigates a rocky stretch of trail at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. The area has become a popular destination for mountain bikers from all over the state, and beyond.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: Checking on of the many trail maps at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. The trails are well-marked and are labeled for difficulty: easiest; more difficult, most difficult and extremely difficult.

Doug Smith/star Tribune – Dml -

Gallery: Many trails at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area are carved along the edge of lakes that were once mine pits.

Every year, when we announce the "Oh, You Turkey!" art contest on Thanksgiving Day, young artists throughout the region sharpen their crayons, their scissors and their creativity. This year — the contest's 39th year — was no different. We received thousands of submissions, which were judged by students from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The judges applauded the enthusiasm and imagination of each submission. It was hard work choosing only nine winners, but they did it. Here are their selections: